Arsenal striker Alessia Russo says Arsenal are ‘in a really good place’ ahead of a Champions League showdown with Chelsea.
Returning off the back of an emphatic 5-0 victory over West Ham United in the Women’s Super League (WSL) last weekend, Arsenal now prepare for the momentous challenge of facing London rivals Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. In bright form since the turn of the new year, Russo says the firing Gunners are relishing the challenge ahead.
“I think the whole team in general is in a really good place,” the striker said. “Training is fun and we’re performing well at the in the games as well. So hopefully that continues. I’m feeling good and confident and very happy in this team.
“I’m just enjoying football. I say that all the time,” Russo reflected on her own form. “We’ve got so many great players that I get to play with week and week out and I think that when you get to this point of the season, you used to play with everyone, you know what you’re gonna get from your teammates and how you can best set them up in in different areas.”
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Alessia Russo admits she ‘came to Arsenal for Champions League nights’
Russo is currently leading the Champions League goal scoring tally, with seven scores to her name. Speaking on her strong form, Russo said she isn’t focussing on the possibility of becoming England’s Champions League record holder if she were to score against the Blues.
“I’m not sure I’ve thought too much into it, but I think you come up against so many different styles of teams in Champions League and I love that,” she said. “Diving into different styles of football and playing against different kinds of systems. So, I think that’s something that I really enjoy in the Champions League.
“I came to Arsenal for these Champions League nights and I think I just feel really grateful to play in them and every player in our team will say that Champions League nights under the lights are really one thing that they look forward to.”
Arsenal are currently on a nine-game winning streak, including a victory over WSL league leaders Manchester City and a Stamford Bridge triumph over rivals Chelsea. The Blues, however. are licking their wounds after a cagey 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses, and will be looking to respond at Arsenal Stadium on Tuesday evening.
“It feels like a big game,” Russo said. “I think it’s great for fans locally that they get to see two top English clubs go together in a Champions League quarterfinal, which is great for the women’s game in England. But I think last year we’ve had the same mindset going into the quarterfinal against Real Madrid.
“At the end of the day, it’s a quarterfinal of a competition that we wanna do everything we can to be successful in. So the mindset stays the same, but I’m aware that for English fans and women’s football in England, it’s a massive game.”
Arsenal will take on Chelsea in the Champions League this Tuesday in north London at 8pm UK.